Chapter 215: Chapter 215: Dad, Come with Me Quickly

The procession stopped less than a hundred meters from the village head.

Qi Quanjin thought he would have to bring people to greet them, but instead saw a few people coming around that carriage.

The leader was wearing official attire, and Qi Quanjin immediately recognized him as the County Magistrate of Jicheng.

He saw the County Magistrate running over with a few government officials, and Qi Quanjin hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.

The County Magistrate of Jicheng was named Hu Kaicheng, a slightly plump man in his forties. After running these dozens of meters, he was already a bit out of breath.

“This humble subject greets Lord County Magistrate!”

Qi Quanjin said and was about to kneel.

Hu Kaicheng waved his hand, breathlessly saying, “No need for ceremony. Are all your village’s preparations ready? The official delivering the decree is already waiting, hurry up and don’t keep the lord waiting.”

“Ready, ready.”

Qi Quanjin didn’t expect such urgency, and quickly instructed his family members behind him to bring the items.

Soon the incense table was set up.

Seeing the thorough preparations with nothing out of place, Hu Kaicheng finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Stand ready, wait for my signal later.”

“Yes! This humble subject thanks Lord County Magistrate!”

Qi Quanjin hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

Hu Kaicheng quickly ran back towards the carriage, and upon arrival, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, very courteously.

Before long, the horses in front dispersed, allowing the carriage to proceed forward.

The carriage looked even more luxurious than the finest ones in their city.

The carriage door opened, and a beardless, pale-faced man who seemed to be around thirty years old stepped out.

The man wore a brocade robe and held a horsetail whisk in his hand.

Standing at the carriage door, the man glanced around, his face showing a hint of disdain, but he was still assisted out of the carriage.

“Which one is Qi Quanjin from Concord City?”

When the man spoke, his voice sounded slightly sharp.

Qi Quanjin quickly stepped forward, clasping his hands and bowing deeply: “This humble subject Qi Quanjin greets the grand lord!”

“Qi Quanjin, step forward to receive the decree.”

As the man spoke, he draped the horsetail whisk over his arm and took a bright yellow scroll from the tray held by a nearby attendant.

Fearing Qi Quanjin might not understand the protocol, Hu Kaicheng quickly knelt down next to him.

Naturally, Qi Quanjin followed suit and knelt down.

The people behind him also knelt.

With a rustling sound, a whole group knelt.

“By the Emperor’s command, the decree states: The chaos caused by locusts has disrupted the peace of the people… Now it is heard that Qi Quanjin, the village head of Yongping Village in Concord City of Tabei Prefecture, provided a method to combat locusts with great effectiveness. In recognition of this achievement, a golden plaque is bestowed…”

With the man’s sharp voice, the kneeling crowd felt their blood boiling.

This is a reward from the Emperor!

Apart from the golden plaque, there were other rewards. The long list of names heard made everyone tremble with excitement.

Qi Quanjin was so nervous he was nearly on the verge of tears.

With the man’s words “Take heed,” Hu Kaicheng hurriedly touched his head to the ground, calling out long live.

Qi Quanjin also reacted quickly and followed suit.

Although the shouts were not very coordinated, the sound was loud, and the attitude was extremely respectful.

“Alright, Qi Quanjin, receive the decree!”

With another command, Qi Quanjin quickly stood up, bent over, and went forward to receive the bright yellow decree with both hands.

At that moment, Qi Quanjin’s hands were visibly shaking.

The man then said, “Lead the way! Accept the items.”

“Yes, thank you, my lord!”

Qi Quanjin quickly handed the decree to Qi Dafu beside him and then personally guided the way.

The bestowed rewards were smoothly delivered to the Qi Family Mansion.

And the eunuch delivering the decree also followed them into the Qi Family courtyard.

“Everything is tidied up quite clean.”

The eunuch finally showed a little expression of satisfaction.

Qi Quanjin kept his back bent throughout: “The presence of my lord honors this humble abode. We have prepared some simple meals, and I hope my lord will not be offended.”

The decree-delivering eunuch intended to decline, but after coming and going for three or four hours, he was indeed somewhat weary.

He didn’t speak, but Hu Kaicheng understood and quickly said, “Eunuch Wan, the weather is chilly, perhaps warm yourself first; once back in the city, I’ve prepared a feast, and then Eunuch can have a proper rest, how does that sound?”

“Then let’s settle it this way!”

Eunuch Wan flicked the horsetail whisk and headed first towards the central main room.

The main room had also been tidied up.

Though there were no precious furnishings, it was more organized than an average household.

The center table was laid with steaming dishes, all placed in advance by Yi Meng and her sisters-in-law who had returned early.

Today they were entertaining an important guest, so naturally, Yi Meng cooked personally, while others assisted.

Yi Meng’s culinary skills were excellent; as soon as one entered the room, the aroma of the dishes was enticing, causing Eunuch Wan to raise his brows slightly and secretly think, “what a delightful smell”.

Even Hu Kaicheng didn’t expect such fragrant food in this rural village and couldn’t help but glance several times.

Though the dishes weren’t made of gold or jade, they were all brand new.

On the table were eight hot dishes, two cold ones, and two soups.

Twelve dishes in total.

The Qi Family was large, so the bowls and plates for eating were naturally big.

But these twelve dishes were piled full, decorated with a few leaves of greens and such for presentation.

Though only central, they appeared delicate.

Hu Kaicheng was somewhat stunned.

He hadn’t imagined that the Qi Family’s dishes not only smelled good but were aesthetically pleasing.

The most remarkable thing was that, having entered winter, not to mention ordinary people, even major restaurants rarely had fresh greens on their tables, yet here they did.

“Eunuch Wan, please take the seat of honor!”

Hu Kaicheng quickly gestured a polite invitation.

Eunuch Wan naturally took the upper seat, with Hu Kaicheng, the County Magistrate, seated below.

As for everyone else, none dared to sit.

Even Qi Quanjin only stood by waiting.

“Qi Quanjin, you sit down too.”

Eunuch Wan spoke, and only then did Qi Quanjin take the lowest seat, barely seating himself, avoiding sitting firmly.

This table wasn’t the usual large round table from home, but specifically brought over from the second courtyard in the city, a smaller round table.

Normally it seated eight people, but now only three sat.

Seeing no one else from the Qi Family entering, Eunuch Wan asked: “No elders at home?”

“In response to my lord’s question, my humble parents are alive.”

Qi Quanjin didn’t understand why the other party asked this but knew he had to answer when questioned.

Eunuch Wan sounded an acknowledgment: “Since the old master is here, invite him over to join us!”

“Yes!”

Qi Quanjin quickly stood, exited to find his father.

Qi Zheng was sitting in the neighboring room of Qi Dalang, eyes glowing while looking at the decree placed on the table.

He wanted to touch it but didn’t dare, fearing to damage it.

Even Mrs. Qi, unusually, wasn’t holding her precious granddaughter, but stood gazing at the decree.

“Old man, this, this really is an imperial decree!”

Mrs. Qi’s voice still quivered.

Qi Zheng nodded and swallowed, saying, “Our Qi Family really seems to have struck gold with this decree as our family heirloom; later we’ll specially make a room to enshrine it.”

Immediately after speaking, Qi Quanjin urgently called out: “Father, come quickly with me!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep